Funding Translational Research in Academia

SummaryOver the past decade we have seen significant and fundamental advances in basic science. These advances are accompanied by high public expectations to effectively translate this knowledge into novel therapies for treatment of disease. For most diseases there are still significant unmet medical needs that lead to life-long health and economic burdens. As our understanding of the mechanisms of disease advance and new technologies are developed, opportunities emerge that given the right amount of attention could lead to new therapeutic approaches. However, as suggested by the dearth of novel therapeutics serious roadblocks to progress remain.